Issues with Apple Carplay crashing + 2026 Ranger Lariat + iPhone 17 Pro Max

[johnvosh]

I went on a 2 1/2 road trip to go camping on Friday. I have an iphone 17 pro max. I''ve never had any issues until this trip. About 2hrs in and my phone kept disconnecting. Of course this is when I needed Google Maps the most as I had never been to where I was going and there were a few turns. I couldn't figure out what was going on. I even took and plugged it in via USB and still had same issue. Then on the way back on Sunday I figured out when the issue was happening. I always have my truck playing music from my phone and it works fine. Going home it started acting up about an hour in. Of course I was taking pictures of the scenery and stuff.
As soon as my phone tried to make any sound whether it be the camera shutter sound or any direction from Google Maps it would crash carplay on my phone and disconnect from the truck. It didn't matter if I had it plugged in via USB or not. I know I was starting to have issues with my '23 disconnecting from time to time, but I haven't had any issues until now and I have gone on 1 1/2 hour trips using Google Maps. My dad who is a Ford tech says there isn't much they could do because they wouldn't be able to replicate the issue as it only seems to happen after an hour or more. Everytime it crashed it would stop Google Maps and my music and then I would have to restart both. It is 2026, we shouldn't be having these issues!
Is anyone else having the same issue? Anyone know a fix other than switching to a Samsung Phone? I have a 7 hour trip to BC coming next month and I can NOT have this happening while I am driving as I am going thru areas with no cell service and I don't want it to reset everything. I was so close to throwing my phone out the window or into a lake by the time I got home.

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[AugPal]

Does your map app allow you to download the map before your trip.

I have a Pixel Android phone and I can download maps before my trip by:

To download a map for offline use in the Google Maps app, search for a location (like a city), tap the place name at the bottom, tap More (three dots), and select Download offline map. Alternatively, tap your profile picture, choose Offline maps, and select your own area.

 

[johnvosh]

Does your map app allow you to download the map before your trip.

I have a Pixel Android phone and I can download maps before my trip by:

To download a map for offline use in the Google Maps app, search for a location (like a city), tap the place name at the bottom, tap More (three dots), and select Download offline map. Alternatively, tap your profile picture, choose Offline maps, and select your own area.

I'm sure it does..... I honestly don't know as I have never downloaded maps for offline use, never really thought of it. I will have to try that...
I have an old ipod touch that maybe I could connect to the truck, use it instead of my phone for music and maps on long trips...

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